Aldermen Approve Bonding Requests

May 13, 1999|By MATTHEW HAY BROWN; Courant Staff Writer

NEW BRITAIN — The aldermen agreed Wednesday to bond $50 million for the planned water-filtration plant and $1.7 million for code-compliance work, new computers and other improvements at New Britain High School.

The aldermen voted unanimously to approve money for the 22 million- gallon-per-day plant, scheduled to open in 2003. Council President Pro Tem Mark Bernacki said the vote was timed to take advantage of state grants to reimburse some of the cost to the city.

City water officials said the new plant, which will be owned and operated by the city, will provide safer and more reliable water for the local system's 80,000 customers in New Britain, Berlin, Farmington, Newington and Plainville.

The aldermen also voted unanimously to approve money for the package of projects at the high school three months after tabling the issue. In February, they grilled school officials on the need for the items, which were not included in the $15.2 million the council bonded for additions and renovations at the high school two years ago.

Wednesday, school support services Director Al Hinds and high school Principal Dan Bugnacki answered questions about code issues and computer purchases. The aldermen voted to approve the package without further discussion.

Also Wednesday, the aldermen welcomed Democrat Lori A. Rocha to replace outgoing Alderman William C. Rivera on the council.

Rivera spoke from the audience, drawing laughs by identifying himself as a member of the Citizens Property Owners Association -- the conservative tax watchdog group that has hounded the council for years -- to praise his replacement. He said Rocha, a former council member who failed to hold her seat in the 1997 election, had the ``experience, the knowledge and the heart'' to serve the city.

``Having done this job, she knows what it's all about,'' Rivera said. ``She knows what it takes to make the tough decisions.''

Rivera resigned last week after more than five years on the council, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Majority Whip Barbara Yesierski will replace him as council majority leader.